ABUSE TRACKER

PERU
Terra

Perú: investigación fiscal a obispo acusado de pedofilia podría llegar al Vaticano

[The Vatican’s transparency in religious sex scandals could be tested if Peruvian civil authorities decide to inquire about the removal of Gabino Miranda, auxiliary bishop of Ayacucho. Prosecutors are investigating Miranda for alleged pedophilia. The request should not affect relations between Peru and the Vatican because they are trying to clarify commission of an alleged crime, according to jurist Diego Garcia Sayan. The judicial investigation stalled Thursday after it became known that documents submitted by the Peruvian church were insufficient to determine what happened. The Miranda case could be the first case where a bishop was publicly sanctioned by the Vatican since Pope Francis became head of the Catholic church. The case is covered under “pontifical secrecy.” ]

La transparencia del Vaticano en escándalos sexuales de religiosos podría ser puesta a prueba si Perú decide solicitar información sobre la destitución del obispo de Ayacucho, Gabino Miranda, a quien la fiscalía investiga por un caso de presunta pedofilia.

“Ese pedido (de información) no debe afectar las relaciones entre Perú y el Vaticano, porque se trata de esclarecer la comisión de un presunto delito”, dijo a la AFP el jurista peruano Diego García Sayán, presidente de la Corte Interamericana de Derechos Humanos.

La investigación judicial se estancó luego de que se conociera este jueves que el fiscal Gary Chávez, encargado del caso, admitiera que la documentación entregada por la iglesia peruana es insuficiente para poder determinar lo que ocurrió.

El caso Miranda sería el primero de un obispo que sobre abusos sexuales que el Vaticano sanciona públicamente desde que el papa Francisco sucedió a Benedicto XVI al frente de la iglesia católica en marzo pasado, aunque amparado bajo “el secreto pontificio”.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

NEW YORK
CBS New York

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Three rabbis and seven other men allegedly conspired to kidnap and use cattle prods, among other methods, to force Orthodox Jewish men into divorcing their wives, authorities said.

Among those charged Thursday were rabbis Mendel Epstein, 68, and Martin Wolmark, 55, as well as Ariel Potash and a fourth individual known as “Yaakov.” The 10 suspects were arraigned in federal court in Trenton, N.J.

The arrests were announced after the FBI raided several locations overnight, including Yeshiva Shaarei Torah in Suffern, a home in Brooklyn and at least one other location in New Jersey.

Epstein and Wolmark allegedly charged wives and their families thousands of dollars to obtain a religious divorce from recalcitrant husbands by means of kidnapping and violence, according to the criminal complaint.

Potash and Yaakov are accused of assisting the rabbis in obtaining the divorces, authorities said.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

FRANCE
La Croix

[Priest serving child molestation sentence in Lebanon monastery – The Daily Star]

Par décret du 19 juin 2013, la Congrégation pour la doctrine de la foi a interdit de toute célébration et intervention publiques cette figure emblématique, au Liban et en France, de l’aide à l’enfance en détresse.

Connu au Liban et en France pour son action en faveur de l’enfance en détresse, le P. Mansour Labaky a rejoint la douloureuse liste de prêtres condamnés pour pédophilie. Le 19 juin, la Congrégation pour la doctrine de la foi l’a reconnu coupable d’abus sexuels sur trois mineures, ainsi que de « crime de sollicitation (NDLR : sexuelle) à l’occasion de la confession à l’égard d’une victime ».

En vertu des « normes pour les délits les plus graves », appliquées dans ce type d’affaire, ce prêtre du diocèse maronite de Beyrouth, âgé de 73 ans, a été condamné à une vie de prière et de pénitence loin de tout mineur et privé de son office ecclésiastique ; il lui a été défendu de célébrer la messe en public et de confesser, de mener tout accompagnement spirituel, activité publique et prise de parole dans les médias, ou d’entretenir un contact avec les victimes.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ROME
La Croix (France)

Dans une lettre datée du 4 octobre 2013, le cardinal Velasio De Paolis, délégué pontifical pour la Légion du Christ et le mouvement Regnum Christi, a convoqué le chapitre général extraordinaire de la congrégation. Celui-ci débutera le 8 janvier 2014 et devrait se terminer à la fin du mois de février. Ce chapitre aura lieu à Rome et sera composé de délégués d’office (gouvernement général et provinciaux) et de délégués élus dans chaque province.

« Le chapitre général doit représenter tout l’institut et être “un vrai signe de son unité dans la charité” (Code de droit canonique, can. 631, § 1). Étant donné que le prochain chapitre extraordinaire se situe au terme d’un long chemin de renouveau spirituel et aura pour objectif principal de conclure la révision des Constitutions, il a été convenu, en réponse, notamment, au souhait de beaucoup, d’élargir la représentativité des membres élus », écrit le cardinal de Paolis qui détaille les modalités des élections.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

IRELAND
Irish Independent

DAVID QUINN – 11 OCTOBER 2013

If a bishop ought to resign for failing to pass on information about child abusers to police, then what about major public figures such as Gerry Adams?

Four bishops have resigned over child protection failings in the last few years, namely Brendan Comiskey, Donal Murray, Jim Moriarty and John Magee.

In the case of Jim Moriarty and Donal Murray, they were not even in charge of child protection policy at the time the failures took place. They were assistant (that is, ‘auxiliary’) bishops in the archdiocese of Dublin.

Jim Moriarty resigned because he came to the view that he had failed to challenge a miserably deficient child protection system.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

POLAND
National Catholic Reporter

Jonathan Luxmoore Catholic News Service | Oct. 10, 2013

WARSAW, POLAND Poland’s Catholic bishops apologized for sexual abuse of children by priests and defended the Polish church’s record on tackling abuse.

During their plenary meeting in the Polish capital, the bishops also announced that they had tightened procedures for handling abuse allegations.

“The pedophilia problem is appearing in schools, sports clubs and facilities for education and upbringing, but also, it pains us to admit, in church circles,” the bishops’ conference said in a statement Wednesday at the close of the meeting.

“We apologize for those clergy who have harmed children and are doing everything in our power so such situations are not repeated in future. We offer and will continue to offer pastoral and therapeutic help to harmed children and young people, and we stress there is no tolerance for pedophilia,” the bishops said.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

FRANCE
Affaire LBK

Analyse de Joëlle Haroun, professeur de psychologie à la faculté des lettres et à la faculté de santé publique à l’Université libanaise paru dans le quotidien L’Orient-le-Jour en juillet 2012

Les cas d’abus sexuel contre les enfants est un vrai problème de notre société. Toutefois, la vigilance est de mise dans l’établissement du verdict, tous les cas reportés ne sont nécessairement pas vrais.

Joëlle Haroun, professeur de psychologie à la faculté des lettres et à la faculté de santé publique à l’Université libanaise, met en garde contre une éventuelle « falsification » des faits par les enfants, comme c’était le cas du procès d’Outreau, en France, dans le cadre duquel dix-huit personnes étaient incriminées. Ce procès avait débouché sur une erreur judicaire, les enfants avouant, près de cinq ans plus tard, avoir menti.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

NEW YORK
Courthouse News Service

By BARBARA LEONARD

BROOKLYN, N.Y. (CN) – The director of religious education at a church in Brooklyn was a known child abuser who molested a boy in his care, the alleged victim claims in court.

Brandon Luis Otero says his sexual abuse occurred while he was enrolled in after-school CCD program at St. Lucy’s – St. Patrick’s Church in 2008 and 2009.

The Catholic Church administers the Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, also known as catechism or CCD, to public school children who would otherwise not have religious education.

Otero’s alleged attacker, Angelo Serrano, is described in the complaint as a volunteer for the Brooklyn diocese and director of religious education at St. Lucy’s – St. Patrick’s.

The Revs. Frank Shannon and Stephen Lynch were responsible for hiring Serrano, according to the complaint in King’s County Superior Court.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Hometown Focus

COOK – Nationally and internationally, the Evangelical Covenant Church addresses sexual assault and its related concern, domestic violence, through the Advocacy for Victims of Abuse (AVA) initiative. Seeking to inform, educate, and raise awareness in their congregations and communities, the Evangelical Covenant Church of Cook is beginning a healing group which will meet on Sunday, Oct. 27, at 6:30 p.m.

The Evangelical Covenant Women (ECW) of Cook hosted an informative Women’s Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 5. Since the church’s inception in 1914, Covenant Women have remained committed to advancing God’s kingdom through ministries that equip women to grow, serve and reach out with the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished by connecting women in transformational relationships and uniting them in Christ to impact our world.

There is an epidemic affecting one out of every four women. They suffer behind closed doors, most often concealing their pain, fearful of those on both sides of the door. These are the victims of abuse. They are neighbors, co-workers, friends and loved ones. Victims of abuse come from all walks of life, and this epidemic knows no boundaries.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MARYLAND
SoMdNews

By KATIE FITZPATRICK
Staff Writer

A former Chesapeake Beach church pastor who was indicted in November on charges including child abuse and sex offense was sentenced to 15 years in prison Tuesday in Calvert County Circuit Court.

Douglas W. Myers, 64, of Florida was indicted in November on 13 counts of custodial child abuse, three counts of third-degree sex offense and six counts of second-degree sex offense for allegedly abusing three boys, of whom he had temporary custody, between March 30, 1995, and March 26, 2001.

He entered Alford pleas Tuesday to three counts of custodial child abuse, and the remaining charges were dropped as part of a plea agreement with the Calvert County State’s Attorney’s Office.

An Alford plea acknowledges the state might have evidence for a conviction but does not admit guilt.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press

By Emily Gurnon
egurnon@pioneerpress.com
POSTED: 10/10/2013

A Twin Cities man who won a 1996 civil case alleging sexual abuse by Rev. Robert Kapoun said Thursday he is sickened at the Roman Catholic church’s response to reports of predator priests.

Dale Scheffler, speaking at a news conference outside the offices of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, said he did not understand why church officials were convening another clergy misconduct board.

“Why are they saying they’re gonna start another board? I’ve heard so much about these boards — it’s sickening,” Scheffler said. “It makes your stomach turn.”

The archdiocese said Sunday that it was forming a Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force to examine policies and procedures of the archdiocese in the area of clergy misconduct. It met for the first time Wednesday.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
WCCO

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A national group of victims of sexual abuse by priests protested outside the headquarters of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis on Thursday.

The demonstrators spoke out against the new panel the archdiocese has created, to investigate abuse allegations.

One of those speaking out was Dale Scheffler. In the mid-90s, a civil jury found the Rev. Robert Kapoun had molested Scheffler when he was a boy.

Scheffler said the panel will just allow the Archdiocese to cover up abuse allegations.

The verdict against Kapoun was later overturned because the statute of limitations had run out.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

UNITED STATES
National Catholic Reporter

Isabella R. Moyer | Oct. 10, 2013

Bloggers muse and ponder on the issues of the day. We rant and rave. We dream and vision. The challenge comes when someone asks us, “So? What should we do about it?”

My last NCR blog post was titled, “Pope Francis asks us to be the reform we want to see.” As I was writing, I was increasingly aware that I was speaking in generalities. Paragraphs were filled with nice-sounding words that painted a utopian picture and with platitudes that pointed to some ephemeral “what could be” if we only tried to “be the reform we want to see.”

A kind reader sent me an email asking for more. He liked the tone of the post but wondered about the practicalities of reform. How do we make it come about? For example, what if we are the unlucky ones stuck with a mediocre or dysfunctional parish or pastor? Pope Francis is challenging mediocrity and clericalism from the top. How do we do challenge the same on the local level? …

Many years ago, my parish lived through the dark ages of an authoritarian priest. He happened to be the sidekick to an even more authoritarian bishop. It was a sadly dysfunctional time in the diocese as a whole. Heads were rolling. Priests and laity were being dismissed without explanation. Lines were being drawn in the sand. Folks sucked it up, grumbled and stayed, or they spoke out and quickly found themselves on the other side of the church door. I was in the latter group.

I learned several lessons about church politics from this experience. My priest friends, who were skittishly looking over their own shoulders at the time, were not willing to stand up for me. They offered a shoulder to cry on and affirmed the injustice that had been done, but that was the extent of their help. I was left alone. But when two of their own were unceremoniously removed from the diocese, we lay folks were expected to raise our voices in loud protest and support.

When power and authority are abused, they must not be supported. For my husband and me, this meant withdrawing our time, talent and treasure, and we had given generously in all. Eventually, it meant walking out the door.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Star Tribune

Article by: JEAN HOPFENSPERGER , Star Tribune Updated: October 10, 2013

Members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is returning to the archdiocese offices in St. Paul for its second news conference this week Thursday, this time urging the archdiocese to seek out victims of two clerics accused of molesting children.

The group focuses on the Rev. Robert Kapoun, the “Polka Padre,” who was found liable for $1 million for abusing children in a jury verdict that was later overturned. The group says he is still a priest and living unsupervised.

The second is a Catholic brother that the group accuses of molesting 80 children.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Patrick J. Wall

Before the recent revelations of child porn sitting in the Secret Archives of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul, most people never stopped to think about the role of a Archdiocesan Chancellor. Some may have an image of Thomas Beckett or a librarian type. But most, honestly, just scratch their head.

So, what is a chancellor supposed to do? And how did St. Paul Chancellor Jennifer Haselberger stumble upon child porn in Archbishop Nienstedt’s secret archives?

The office of Chancellor in the Roman Catholic Church is first and foremost to “take care that the acts of the curia are gathered, arranged and safeguarded in the archive of the curia”. (1983 CIC 482) This sounds a lot like a librarian, but the job also includes maintaining the entire inventory, or catalogue, of both the historical, secret and criminal archives.

What makes this job different than that of a librarian is that the cover up of clerical sexual abuse of minors in Saint Paul goes back to (at least) Archbishop Leo Binz in the 1960s. The cover-up documents have been stored at the Chancery on Summit Avenue as mandated by the Pope in the code of canon law. For instance, Father Jerome C. Kern’s file contains evidence the Archbishop was aware Kern was sexually abusing minor boys in 1969.

But why is there an explosion now when the Archbishop knew of the child porn in 2003?

The answer is simple: Chancellor Jennifer Haselberger.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

DEUTSCHLAND
Tagesspiegel

Der Vorsitzende der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz, Robert Zollitsch, verfolgt die Vorgänge in Limburg “mit großer Sorge”. Noch will er sich nicht von Tebartz-van Elst distanzieren, kündigt aber ein Gespräch mit Papst Franziskus an. In Sachen gleichgeschlechtlicher Ehe ist er konkreter.

Es sollte keine Krisen-Pressekonferenz von Erzbischof Robert Zollitsch sein. Der Vorsitzende der Deutschen Bischofskonferenz betonte gleich zu Beginn, dass der Termin für seinen Auftritt in der Bundespressekonferenz an diesem Donnerstag seit Wochen festgestanden hatte. Er wollte über Papst Franziskus reden und über Anforderungen an die noch nicht gefundene neue Bundesregierung. Das tat er auch. Und doch stand ein Thema im Mittelpunkt: der umstrittene Limburger Bischof Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst. “Den Vorgang verfolgen wir aufmerksam und mit großer Sorge“, sagte Zollitsch und fügte hinzu: “Das bewegt mich sehr.”

Zollitsch forderte Tebartz-van Elst nicht zum Rücktritt auf, aber zur Selbstkritik. „Ich bin sicher, dass sich der Bischof gründlich mit der notwendigen Selbstkritik in dieser Entwicklung auseinandersetzt“, sagte Zollitsch. Über den von der Hamburger Staatsanwaltschaft ausgestellten Strafbefehl gegen den Limburger Bischof wegen Falschaussage wollte Zollitsch kein Urteil fällen. Allerdings sagte er auch, dass dies der erste Bischof sei, dem ein Strafbefehl ausgestellt worden sei. “Insgesamt nehme ich die Situation im Bistum Limburg sehr ernst“, betonte er.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

DEUTSCHLAND
T-Online

Wie kam es zur Kostenexplosion beim Bau der Limburger Bischofsresidenz?Bischof Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst wird vorgeworfen, die Mehrkosten selbst verursacht und trotz Aufforderungen für 2012 und 2013 keinen Haushaltsplan vorgelegt zu haben.

Die Steigerung der Kosten könne er sich nur so erklären, “dass der Bischof von Limburg entweder ein raffinierter Betrüger oder krank ist”, sagte das Mitglied des Vermögensverwaltungsrates des Bischöflichen Stuhls, Jochen Riebel, der “Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung”. Ein “normal denkender Mensch” veranlasse solche Ausgaben nicht.

Der Bischof habe die Steigerungen zum Teil selbst verursacht, sagte Riebel in mehreren Interviews. Den Bau der Residenz habe der Bischof geleitet, nicht sein Generalvikar Franz Kaspar, kommentierte er anderslautende Angaben des Bistums.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

GERMANY
Spiegel

The bishop of Limburg was already under fire for cost overruns on his luxurious new headquarters, and on Thursday he suffered another setback. Prosecutors have accused him of making false statements in affidavits.

He’s drawn criticism for his lavish lifestyle and cost overruns on his luxurious new residence, and now the Bishop of Limburg in Germany faces penal measures in a court case against SPIEGEL.

Prosecutors claim he made false statements in affidavits submitted in two civil claims against the magazine after it accused the cleric of flying first class during a trip to visit the poor in India. Prosecutors have since determined the statements he made were false and have now called for punitive measures, possibly including fines.

The decision comes just days after Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst was forced to admit earlier this week that the total price on his new bishop’s headquarters in Limburg, in the western state of Hesse, had risen to a whopping €31 million ($41.9 million).

Earlier this week, Hubertus Janssen, a retired Limburg priest who has remained close to the congregation, called on 53-year-old Tebartz-van Elst to step down, warning that the bishop had become a burden to Limburg and possibly to the Catholic Church. Priests and members of the church alike have been outraged by Tebartz-van Elst and his involvement in the lavish new bishop’s headquarters. The building, located adjacent to the city’s cathedral, was initially supposed to cost €2 million. Then, partly as the result of special requests made by Tebartz-van Elst, costs ballooned to €5 million. The cost of the bishop’s three and a half room apartment within the complex alone reached a cost of €2 million. The local Nassausische Neue Presse sparked further outrage on Wednesday when it reported that the bishop’s bathtub alone came at a cost of some €15,000.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

GERMANY
New Zealand Herald

BERLIN (AP) A German bishop already facing questions over his new multi-million euro (dollar) residence now has legal problems after prosecutors on Thursday accused him of lying to a court.

Chief Hamburg prosecutor Nana Frombach said in a statement that she had asked the court to fine Limburg Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst an unspecified amount for providing false testimony in a case he brought against Der Spiegel magazine.

Tebartz-van Elst’s office had no comment.

Tebartz-van Elst has been under pressure over the construction of a new residence complex and related renovations that his diocese confirmed this week cost around 31 million euros ($42 million). The Vatican had sent a senior official, Cardinal Giovanni Lajolo, to investigate complaints.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

GERMANY
Daily Mail (UK)

Mounting fury over Catholic bishop spending £25million on new palatial home in Germany as the Pope promotes a more humble lifestyle

By AARON SHARP

A German Catholic bishop faced pressure to resign on Wednesday after it emerged that his new palatial residence would cost £25m, over six times the original estimate.

Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, bishop of Limburg, was investigated by a Vatican envoy last month after protests in his diocese against lavish spending.

His luxurious choice of home is at odds with Pope Francis’s shift of the Church’s focus towards simplicity and poverty.

The soaring cost of the stately residence next to Limburg’s hilltop cathedral was made public by the diocese on Monday and was immediately criticised by churchgoers and officials.

Local Catholic Raimund Champert said: ‘Such prestige projects simply does not fit with Catholicism
‘The Church, like the Pope, has a responsibility to be humble and lead by example.

‘We are not in the Middle Ages anymore.’

Christoph Hefter, a lay member of the diocesan council, said: ‘The cost is shocking, it is beyond belief.’

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

GERMANY
Economic Times

BERLIN: Pressure grew today on a German Roman-Catholic bishop under fire for building an extravagant multi-million-euro residential complex when prosecutors alleged that he also lied under oath.

Embattled Bishop Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, 53, of Limburg in Hesse state is accused of giving false statements in court in a case centred on a first-class flight he took to India to visit poor communities.

Prosecutors allege the bishop twice gave false statements under oath in a Hamburg court battle against news weekly Der Spiegel when he denied having told the magazine’s journalist that he flew only business class.

If found guilty, he would likely face a fine. The case adds to pressure on the bishop after laymen and clergy have voiced anger this week at his lavish spending on his ostentatious new bishop’s residence, where costs have ballooned to more than 31 million euros (USD 40 million).

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

GERMANY
Reuters

BERLIN | Thu Oct 10, 2013

(Reuters) – The head of Germany’s Roman Catholic Church said on Thursday he would discuss with Pope Francis a scandal over a bishop who has been criticized for splashing out on a luxury residence and accused of lying under oath about a first-class flight.

Archbishop Robert Zollitsch, head of the German Bishops’ Conference, said he took the situation in the Diocese of Limburg very seriously. His decision to take the matter to the pope may raise pressure on the bishop of Limburg to stand down.

Francis’ response to the case is being closely watched, because it may show how far he will go to promote frugality and simplicity in a church plagued for decades by sexual abuse scandals and questions about opaque financial transactions at the Vatican bank.

State prosecutors said they wanted Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, bishop of Limburg which is near Frankfurt, fined for making false affidavits about a first-class flight to India.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

PERU
Peru This Week

By Rachel Chase

Military bishop fathered a child with woman he met through church.

Guillermo Martín Abanto Guzmán, formerly bishop of Peru’s military ordinariate, has resigned his charge over a court order that he recognize the paternity of a child born in 2011.

According to Peru21, Abanto Guzmán (then 49) met 26-year-old Alexandra Daniela de la Lama Luna in 2009 when she sought out spiritual help in the wake of personal turmoil. Their relationship deepened over time, and Abanto Guzmán even visited the young woman’s house on several occasions. In 2011, De la Lama gave birth to a baby girl. Peru21 reports that Abanto Guzmán did not recognize the girl as his daughter at the time, in order to avoid creating a scandal; sources indicated to Peru21 that this action may have been taken with the consent of De la Lama.

Then in June of this year, De la Lama took Abanto Guzmán to court to demand that he recognize the paternity of the child. In July, Abanto Guzmán resigned his post as bishop, and now the court has ordered that he recognize De la Lama’s child as his daughter.

Peru21 reports that church authorities learned of the case, but were assured by Abanto Guzmán that his relationship with De la Lama was only sexual, and did not constitute a sentimental relationship. Investigative news program Punto Final also reported last week that the church had previously offered De la Lama a pension for her daughter if she agreed to keep quiet about the case.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ISRAEL
YNet News

Eli Senyor
Published: 10.09.13

Elias Chacour, the archbishop of Akko, Haifa, Nazareth and all of Galilee of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church is suspected of sexually harassing a woman who works in the community he heads, Ynet learned on Wednesday.

Earlier this week Chacour was questioned under caution for a number of hours. He was released on bail under restricting conditions.

According to the police, the incident in question took place some five years ago and they are not aware of any others.

The woman filed the compliant some two years ago, but due to the suspect’s status, various law enforcement agencies had to give their authorization before an investigation was launched.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ILLINOIS
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Thursday, October 10, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris, Outreach Director, 314-862-7688 SNAPdorris@gmail.com

We are upset that Illinois’s archaic and predatory friendly laws prevent prosecutors from pursuing charges against Fr. Robert “Bud” DeGrand.

It’s now more important than ever that those who saw, suspected or suffered Fr. DeGrand’s crimes come forward. It’s especially crucial that they contact police immediately.

We particularly call on current and former Catholic employees who may have knowledge or suspicions about clergy sex crimes and cover ups to speak up. Silence only helps those who commit and conceal heinous acts against kids.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

NEW YORK/IRELAND
Democrat and Chronicle

Gary Craig, ROC October 10, 2013

Last week Liam Adams, the brother of Sinn Fein president Gerry Adams, was convicted in Belfast of raping and sexually assaulting his daughter between 1977 and 1983.

The girl was then between 4 and 9 years old.

The conviction has roiled Northern Ireland, with accusations that Gerry Adams – a driving force in the troubled region’s peace process – was aware of his brother’s crimes and tried to protect him from prosecution.

The conviction has revived an unusual saga in the life of Liam Adams, an episode when, in 1984, he was in hiding in New York City – and sheltered by Father Patrick Moloney at Bonitas House, the home for troubled teens.

The Irish journalist Ed Moloney, who has written extensively about the Irish Republican Army and the so-called “Troubles” in Northern Ireland, was the first to write of the episode.

“During the worst years of the Troubles, Bonitas House became the first port of call for many indigent and refugee IRA men, activists who were on the run from the authorities in Ireland or who wanted a break from Belfast or Derry and were in need of a fresh identity and a start in New York well away from the prying eyes of the FBI,” Moloney wrote.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ROME
UPI

ROME, Oct. 10 (UPI) — A former Vatican priest arrested in connection with an alleged tax evasion scheme said Thursday he fears he will be poisoned for talking to investigators.

In a newspaper interview conducted through his lawyer, the Rev. Nunzio Scarano said, “I have told of episodes that could put me in danger,” ANSA news service reported.

“I am trying to be stronger than the fear and nightmares that torment me, but despite my prayers, I am certain that I will die by poisoning,” Scarano added.

The prelate had headed up a key Vatican accounting department until a month before he was arrested in June.

Italian police charge he conspired with a former Italian spy and a financial broker to secretly bring into the country $27 million allegedly acquired through tax evasion.

Scarano called himself “the scapegoat of a number of powerful Vatican figures.” He called on Pope Francis to talk to him “at least once” before judging him.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

CANADA
Cape Breton Post

Published on October 10, 2013

SYDNEY — Bishop Brian Dunn closed the Catholic Diocese of Antigonish renewal congress with a message of encouragement for the approximately 300 delegates in attendance, made of up parishioners, deacons, women, religious and clergy from all corners of the diocese.

“May the delegates of this congress be the salt of the earth and the light of the world for the renewal of our diocese and parishes, especially as we implement our diocesan pastoral plan,” Dunn said in his closing remarks.

The delegates spent the last four days at the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre developing a set of actions and strategies that the diocese and all the parishes can begin to implement over the course of the next five years as a way to renew the church in eastern Nova Scotia. The congress theme was “Rebuilding My People, the Church.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

CANADA
CBC News

The Diocese of Antigonish says it’s moving ahead with a five year plan for church renewal.

About 300 people from every parish around the diocese gathered in Membertou this week to endorse the plan.

David Nearing from Reserve Cape Breton helped organize the event.

He said the conference is a response to various issues: a decline in church attendance and the number of priests, the closure of churches and sexual abuse legal settlements against clergy.

The diocese also did a survey to find out what people see as their priorities for the church.

“The first one would be the revitalization of parishes and the revitalization of the dioceses itself,” said Nearing.

Bishop Brian Dunn said long standing issues such as the ordination of women, celibacy for priests, and exclusion from the Eucharist for divorced and remarried people were also discussed.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ILLINOIS
Journal-Courier

Posted: Thursday, October 10, 2013
BY MARIA NAGLE Journal-Courier

The statute of limitations apparently has run out on a 33-year-old allegation of sexual misconduct against a former Jacksonville priest, but the county’s chief prosecutor is not ready to close the door on pursuing prosecution.

The accusation involves acts alleged to have occurred between the Rev. Robert “Bud” DeGrand and a minor in 1980, the same year DeGrand was ordained to the priesthood and assigned to Our Saviour Parish in Jacksonville.

Church officials have been investigating the 61-year-old priest after the allegation was received Sept. 9 by the Catholic Diocese of Springfield’s victim assistance coordinator. On Sept. 13, the Diocesan Review Board found the allegation to have “a semblance of truth” and recommended that Bishop Thomas Paprocki begin a preliminary investigation.

As required by a diocesan policy, State’s Attorney Robert Bonjean III and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services were notified.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
KSTC

[with video]

By: Cassie Hart

A priest appointed to create a task force to review policies dealing with sexual abuse by priests in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis says recent allegations of clergy misconduct are “sickening.”

The Rev. Reginald Whitt put together a task force of six lay people to review how church officials have handled accusations of priest misconduct. The task force was convened after one priest pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct last year and another was accused of having child pornography.

Members of the group include Catholics and non-Catholics, as well as lawyers and a former officer. The group plans to come up with a report and recommendations for church officials to follow.

One member of the the new task force, Brian Short, a Minneapolis businessman and lawyer, promises the group will not sweep anything under the rug. “If people are looking for a white wash I know one member of the task force who will be handing in his resignation very promptly,” Short told reporters at a news conference at the Leamington Company, where he is CEO. “Talking to Father Whitt and others, that’s the last thing anyone wants.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

OREGON
Claims Journal

October 10, 2013

A man who prosecutors say falsely accused four Catholic priests in four states of sexually abusing him has admitted to a federal judge in Portland, Ore., that he filed a phony lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Portland.

Shamont Sapp told U.S. District Judge Anna Brown on Tuesday that he was pleading guilty to mail fraud.

The Oregonian says that as part of his plea agreement he’s expected to serve no more than 41 months in prison.

Prosecutors say Sapp was serving bank robbery sentences at the U.S. penitentiary in Allenwood, Pa., in 2008 when he began researching old news stories about pedophile priests.

The newspaper says the cost of disproving his claim against the Portland archdiocese came to more than $60,000.

Prosecutors say he also made false claims against priests in Arizona, Kentucky and Washington. He failed to win a judgment in any of those state

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

OREGON
Oregonian

By Bryan Denson | bdenson@oregonian.com
on October 08, 2013

Shamont Lyle Sapp was an industrious inmate as he bounced between prisons from 2005 to 2011.

While serving a long stretch for 10 bank robberies, Sapp found time to falsely accuse four Catholic priests – in four states – of sexually abusing him, according to government prosecutors. Then he filed a lawsuit accusing the comic actors Jamie Foxx and Tyler Perry of ripping off his story as they put together a film project called “Skank Robbers.”

On Tuesday, the 50-year-old prisoner stood before a federal judge in Portland to take his lumps for filing a phony lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Portland.

“I plead guilty,” Sapp told U.S. District Judge Anna J. Brown, adding that he felt better now that he’d told the truth about his crime.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ROME
Catholic News Agency

Rome, Italy, Oct 9, 2013 / 10:23 am (CNA/EWTN News).- Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, the Papal delegate overseeing Regnum Christi and the Legion of Christ, has announced that consecrated women of Regnum Christi will have their first general assembly later this year.

“The General Assembly should represent the whole association and, by analogy with what the Code of Canon Law establishes for general chapters of religious institutes, should be ‘a true sign of its unity in charity,’” Cardinal De Paolis wrote in an Oct. 4 letter to Regnum Christi’s consecrated women.

“The upcoming Assembly comes at the end of a long journey of spiritual renewal, is the first in the history of the Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi, and its principal purpose will be to conclude the revision of the Statutes.”

Cardinal De Paolis was appointed as governor of the Legion and of Regnum Christi by Benedict XVI in 2010, after an apostolic visitation determined the order needed “profound re-evaluation.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

VATICAN CITY
Rome Reports

[with video]

October 9, 2013. (Romereports.com) The Vatican City State has passed a new law to promote financial transparency and to prevent illegal monetary transactions. According to the Vatican, the new law strengthens measures to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing. It also establishes greater control over the parties it conducts financial activities with.

When it comes to international transactions, if 10,000 euros or more enter or leave the State, the money must be declared. It also imposes measures against those who threaten peace and international security.

The new law also regulates the collaboration and exchange of information both internally and internationally. Under the new measure, more responsibility is given to the Vatican’s Financial Information Authority, which is the entity that was established by Benedict XVI, precisely to combat money laundering and to supervise the Vatican Bank.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

After being deemed guilty at trial, he remains a priest today
On top of regular retirement pay, he gets a monthly “bonus”
Another predator is accused of molesting more than 80 kids
He abused a Twin Cities boy but St. Paul church officials stay silent
In 2005, local Catholic officials quietly settled the case but told no one
SNAP: “How many other child molesting clerics are still being hidden now?”

WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will prod the Twin Cities archbishop to aggressively seek out other victims of two child molesting clerics

–a Catholic brother accused of molesting 80 kids, and
–a priest who was found guilty of abuse by a jury, is still a priest, is unsupervised, lives in a $500,000 home and gets extra payments above his retirement.

They will also urge the archbishop to
— put all of his child molesting clerics in secure treatment centers and
— publicly explain why he secretly pays proven, admitted and credibly accused child molesting clerics.

WHEN
TODAY, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2013 at 2:30 p.m.

WHERE
Outside the St. Paul-Minneapolis Catholic archdiocesan headquarters (‘chancery office’), 226 Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, MN

WHO
Several local concerned Catholics and two victims who belong to a self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Minnesota man who was molested by Minnesota’s notorious “Polka Padre”

WHY
1.Yesterday, Minnesota Public Radio disclosed that Fr. Robert Kapoun, who was found guilty of abuse at a trial, is getting paid a monthly “bonus,” not being supervised, lives in a $500,000 lakeside home and has not been defrocked.

[Minnesota Public Radio]

In a jury found that Fr. Kapoun repeatedly molested Dale Scheffler and awarded Scheffler $1 million. Later, an appellate court overturned the verdict because of the statute of limitations. In what SNAP calls “an extraordinarily cruel move,” archdiocesan officials sent Scheffler a bill for $6,019.10 for its legal expenses. m the archdiocese for its legal expenses.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday Oct. 9, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com )

Ho hum. Another church abuse panel. It’s the same old, same old.

First, the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese had such a panel in 1995:

[St. Paul and Minneapolis archdiocese].

Second, on the national level, Catholic officials created a panel like this, made up of bishops, in the early 1990s. (For years, it was headed by St. Paul-Minneapolis Archbishop Harry Flynn, on whose watch Fr. Jonathan Shelley’s thousands of porn images were found but kept secret from police, prosecutors, parishioners and the public).

Third, in 2002, every archdiocese was mandated to create such a panel and a national church panel like this was set up.

[National Catholic Reporter]

Fourth, just last month, the Twin Cities archdiocese quietly created another clergy misconduct panel:

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ILLINOIS
SW News Herald

By DERMOT CONNOLLY • Friday, October 11, 2013
Groups such as the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) are calling for the removal of the Rev. Robert Stepek from his post as a police resource officer in Burbank,

Stepek was asked in 2006 by the Chicago Archdiocese to step down as pastor of St. Albert the Great Church in Burbank when he was accused of sexually abusing two brothers in the 1980. But he was hired the following year as a police resource officer in Burbank and continues to work there, with the backing of Mayor Harry Klein and other officials.

Klein has been quoted as saying he approved of hiring Stepek as a police resource officer because he “trusted in the goodness” of the priest he knew as a parishioner of St. Albert the Great. Stepek, who formerly was pastor of St. Symphorosa Church in Chicago’s Clearing neighborhood, was asked to step down from his Burbank parish after the archdiocese found reason to believe two brothers who had accused Stepek of sexually abusing them in the early 1980s.

Stepek, 58, maintained his innocence and filed an unsuccessful defamation suit against his accusers. But the archdiocese determined there was “reasonable cause” to believe the sexual abuse accusations, which date back to when he was serving at St. Symphorosa.

The case was privately settled out of court. However, according to a recent announcement from the archdiocese, a special Vatican council could not find sufficient evidence during two canonical trials to prove Stepek had molested minors but did find that he “engaged in behaviors inappropriate for a priest” and put restrictions on his duties.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

UNITED STATES
The American Conservative

By ROD DREHER • October 9, 2013

Two stories, sent by readers from the Catholic frontlines. The first from St.Paul/Minneapolis:

Thank you for covering this story in my Archdiocese. It’s like finding if Bill Clinton had been found sexting Monica in 2008, on stage, while stumping for his wife. People never learn.

Archbishop Nienstadt and his priests spent the last two years warning us the sky was going to fall on the issue of gay marriage. And while I am a cultural conservative and supported the marriage amendment, I thought a lot of the arguments for it were poor and the pro-SSM side had a better marketing strategy, and a better Constitutional argument. And I’m counting the days until we are subjected to the merited impossibility.

Anyways, my point is the Archbishop made this his big mission, passing the marriage amendment, and it failed. But, while this was going on, he dithered on, “Gee, is that handsome naked boy younger than 14? Let’s debate this some more and keep that priest in ministry. But secular society affirming a monogamous relationship between two men? This means war!”

I’m embarrassed. I don’t dare let my children serve at altar, for their own protection.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

UNITED STATES
Associated Baptist Press

A preacher tainted by unproven allegations of covering up sexual abuse is returning to a Southern Baptist seminary campus after a convention resolution urged “discernment” about identifying with individuals perceived as being soft on pedophiles.

By Bob Allen

A Calvinist preacher named in a lawsuit alleging what has been termed the largest evangelical sex-abuse scandal to date is scheduled to speak at an upcoming collegiate conference on the campus of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.

C.J. Mahaney, pastor of Sovereign Grace Church in Louisville, Ky., is listed on the seminary website among plenary speakers for the 20/20 Collegiate Conference themed “Ekklesia: God’s Perspective on the Church,” scheduled Feb. 7-8, 2014.

Other projected speakers include Southeastern Seminary President Daniel Akin and Russell Moore, new president of the Southern Baptist Convention Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission.

Akin and Moore were among 77 evangelical leaders addressed in an open letter in February from a former Mahaney associate asking that they cease inviting him to speak at religious events pending outcome of a class-action lawsuit.

The former associate-turned-critic, Brent Detwiler, later accused Southern Baptist leaders of enabling sin by continuing to promote the embattled preacher while serious questions about his fitness for ministry remain unanswered.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

AUSTRALIA
The Australian Jewish News

YESHIVAH College in Melbourne has been dragged further into the mire of child sex abuse scandal, with an alleged victim, who claims he was repeatedly raped by a longstanding employee of the school, breaking his silence this week.

The alleged abuses happened some time ago, though The AJN has opted not to publish the dates as to conceal the identities of the victim and the alleged perpetrator, who remains in close contact with children at the school today.

The man, who was eight, or nine when the alleged incidents took place, claims he was lured to the college’s shul with the promise of chocolates and raped on the bimah “in front of the sefer torah”. He also claims he was also forced to perform oral sex and believes there to be at least one more victim of the alleged pedophile.

“After I was raped I was in shock and I went to the office and I was shivering and crying. I didn’t know what rape was because I was eight years old. I din’t know what sex was, so I didn’t have the words to say what happened,” the man said.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

AUSTRALIA
Failed Messiah

The alleged victim was reportedly, 8- or 9-years-old when the alleged rapes took place. He claims the alleged pedophile lured him into the Chabad synagogue in the Yeshivah College complex by promising him chocolates and then raped on the bimah “in front of the Sefer Torah.” He claims he was also forced to perform oral sex on the man.

Horrific Case Of Alleged Child Sex Abuse At Chabad School
Shmarya Rosenberg • FailedMessiah.com

Chabad’s Yeshivah College in Melbourne has another horrific case of child sexual abuse, the Australian Jewish News reported.

An alleged victim claims he was repeatedly raped by what the AJN describes as “a longstanding employee of the school.”

(This appears to be the same case.)

The alleged perpetrator reportedly still is “in close contact with children at the school.”

The alleged victim was reportedly, 8- or 9-years-old when the alleged rapes took place. He claims the alleged pedophile lured him into the Chabad synagogue in the Yeshivah College complex by promising him chocolates and then raped on the bimah “in front of the Sefer Torah.” He claims he was also forced to perform oral sex on the man. There may be at least one more alleged victim of the alleged pedophile, as well.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

AUSTRALIA
Herald Sun

ANDREA KELLETT OCTOBER 10, 2013

HIGH-PROFILE Jewish victims’ advocate Manny Waks has delivered on a promise to continue holding Jewish institutions to account for their handling of alleged child sexual abuse.

He spent two hours before the Federal Government’s Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse on Tuesday, in his capacity as Tzedek chief executive.

Tzedek is an advocacy group for Jewish victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.

Mr Waks promised to present at the commission after the high-profile case of former Yeshivah College teacher David Kramer was resolved in July.

Kramer was sentenced in the County Court to three years and four months jail for indecently assaulting four boys while teaching at the St Kilda East school between 1989 and 1991.

Mr Waks posted a Facebook message on his way to his private session, promising to be the voice of victims and survivors in the community.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Bemidji Pioneer

Judge to decide on confidentiality of accused clergy: Lawsuit calls for Crookston diocese to release list of priests

Justin Glawe
Forum News Service

CROOKSTON — The lists exist, but whether they will be made public is now up to a judge.

Steven Aggergaard, an attorney representing the Diocese of Crookston, argued there is no concrete harm in keeping a list of priests accused of sexual abuse private.

The statement came in Polk County Judge Tamara Yon’s courtroom. She must now decide whether the diocese is legally required to release their list as part of a lawsuit filed in June by St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson.

Anderson, well known for pursuing cases involving sexual abuse by clergy, represents a Bemidji woman who claims she was sexually abused from 1969 to 1970 by the Rev. James Porter, who was convicted of sexually abusing 28 children.

Porter was with the diocese at the time of the alleged abuse of the Bemidji woman.

The lawsuit, in addition to monetary damages, seeks the lists of accused priests compiled by the three defendants — the Diocese of Crookston, the Diocese of Fall River, Mass., and the Servants of the Paraclete, which has housed priests accused and in some cases convicted of sexual abuse at their Jemez, N.M., facility.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

GERMANY
Deutsche Welle

Amid calls for his resignation over a costly renovation, the Catholic Bishop of Limburg now faces penalties for lying under oath. In a row with the news magazine Der Spiegel, he has denied a first-class trip to India.

A Hamburg prosecutor has requested a penalty order against Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, the Catholic Bishop of Limburg, for having submitted two false affidavits to the Regional Court of Hamburg in September 2012.

The bishop made headlines for taking an alleged first-class flight to India, and has been in a legal dispute with leading news magazine Der Spiegel on the issue. Tebartz-van Elst issued a statement under oath denying that he was asked by the Spiegel journalist about the first-class trip, and that he had claimed to have flown business class, forcing Spiegel to print a retraction.

The publication has since said it stands by the story and filed a complaint with public prosecutors in its home city, Hamburg. Both the question and answer were recorded on a mobile-phone video that were published by Spiegel.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

VATICAN CITY
Vatican Radio

(VIS/Vatican Radio) The Holy See Press Office has issued a communique on the new Law XVIII of Vatican City State (8 October 2013), regarding transparency, supervision and information in the field of finance. The full text, published on October 9, 2013, is reprinted below:

1. On today’s date the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City State adopted Law XVIII, consisting of norms regarding transparency, supervision and information in financial matters, by which the regulations of Decree No. XI of the President of the Governorate, of 8 August 2013, are confirmed as law.

2. In the implementation of Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio of 8 August 2013, and maintaining continuity with the existing norms and those introduced progressively following Pope Benedict XVI’s Motu Proprio of 30 December 2010, for the prevention and countering of illegal activities in the area of monetary and financial dealings, Law No. XVIII strengthens the current internal system for the prevention and countering of money laundering and the financing of terrorism in conformity with international guidelines and, in particular, the Recommendations of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) and relevant European Union sources.

3. In particular, Law No. XVIII consolidates the existing discipline in matters of:
– Measures to prevent and counter money laundering and the financing of terrorism;
– Vigilance and regulation of the bodies carrying out professional activities of a financial nature;
– Collaboration and exchange of information by the Financial Information Authority internally and at an international level;
– Measures against individuals who threaten peace and international security;
– Declarations of cross-border transportation of cash.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

VATICAN CITY
Vatican Radio

(VIS) Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, secretary for Relations with States, in a text focusing in detail on the content of the new law on transparency, supervision and financial information, mentions first that a significant part of the law is dedicated to measures against money laundering and the financing of terrorism, and gives details on the “individuals, the activity of risk assessment, prescriptions concerning suitable checks on counterparties … and the discipline of the international transfer of funds”, strengthened when these two criminal activities are suspected.

“Special attention is dedicated to giving information on suspicious activities, which obligated subjects are required to carry out before the Financial Information Authority”, continues Archbishop Mamberti. “In the case of a valid reason to suspect activities of money laundering or financing of terrorism, the Financial Information Authority transmits a detailed report to the Promoter of Justice and may also suspend transactions and operations under suspicion for up to five working days.”

“The system of prescriptions regarding measures against money laundering and the financing of terrorism is completed by the attribution, again to the Financial Information Authority, of a power of general supervision in relation to the implementation of the measures established by law on the part of obligated subjects, as well as a structured system of administrative sanctions that can be applied by the Authority or, in the most serious cases, by the president of the Governorate, upon suggestion by the Financial Information Authority”.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

VATICAN CITY
Catholic Herald (UK)

By CINDY WOODEN on Thursday, 10 October 2013

With the adoption of a detailed new law on financial transparency, vigilance and information, the Vatican has almost completely revamped its finance laws in less than three years, the Vatican spokesman said.

Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi released a statement on Wednesday about the 58-page text of a new Vatican City State law incorporating, but also broadly expanding retired Pope Benedict XVI’s December 2010 document establishing the Vatican’s Financial Intelligence Authority to monitor Vatican financial operations and make sure they meet international norms against money-laundering and the financing of terrorism.

The text of the new law, approved by the commission governing Vatican City State, said the revamping was necessary because financial crimes “threaten the integrity and stability” of economic activity, “not to mention the reputation” of those who work in the financial sector.

In addition, it said, the Vatican, like other states, is “called to contribute to preventing and combating illicit activity, particularly money laundering and the financing of terrorism, by adopting adequate systems of vigilance and financial information, as well as by collaborating on an international level, including through the control of its borders.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

VATICAN CITY
euronews

[with video]

The Vatican has responded to the international community’s demands for change, by passing a law to make its public finances fully transparent.

A 2012 report by Moneyval, the Council of Europe’s anti-money laundering committee, said that more needed to be done to improve standards.

Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, the Vatican’s foreign minister, said the law would move the Vatican one step closer to meeting the standards set by the committee.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Houston Chronicle

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A member of a task force reviewing issues related to allegations of clergy sexual misconduct in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis said Wednesday that he was sickened by reports suggesting church officials mishandled accusations against two priests, and he wants to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

“If the Catholic Church doesn’t fix this problem, its ability to act as a force of good in the world … is over,” said Brian Short. “This is a problem that needs to be fixed now, and fixed correctly.”

Short, a former legal mediator and U.S. magistrate, is among six members of a lay-person task force that will review how church officials dealt with accusations of priest misconduct.

Archbishop John Nienstedt created the task force as the archdiocese faces scrutiny for its handling of two priests — after one went on to molest two teens despite documents suggesting church leaders knew he had a sexual addiction, and after recent revelations that pornographic images, including some that appeared to be underage boys, were found on another priest’s computer in 2004 and never revealed.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press

By Emily Gurnon
egurnon@pioneerpress.com
POSTED: 10/09/2013

The new members of a task force on clergy sexual misconduct in the Twin Cities archdiocese were announced Wednesday afternoon.

The members are Medtronic attorney Kathleen Erickson DiGiorno, who will chair the task force; University of St. Thomas law professor Julie Oseid; former St. Paul police sergeant and Internet sex crimes expert Brook Schaub; Brian Short, CEO of Leamington Co. and former board member of Catholic Charities; Colleen Striegel, former human resources director of the University of St. Thomas; and sex offender treatment psychologist Michael D. Thompson.

University of St. Thomas law professor and priest the Rev. Reginald Whitt told reporters Wednesday that the new Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force will examine policies and procedures of the archdiocese in the area of clergy misconduct.

He noted that recent news stories have reported on priests involved in the sexual abuse of minors, and ways archdiocesan officials have addressed those issues.

No matter how true or false or accurate they may be, the allegations in these reports are sickening and despicable, Whitt said. In his new position as vicar for ministerial standards, Whitt will supervise all issues related to clergy sexual misconduct, he said. His first task was to appoint the task force members and chair.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

PERU
El Herald

[Summary: The Vatican has accepted the resignation of Bishop Guillermo Abanto Guzman who faces a paternity suit.]

LIMA,Perú El Vaticano aceptó la renuncia del obispo castrense de Perú Guillermo Abanto al gobierno pastoral del Ordinariato Militar, a raíz de una demanda de paternidad que enfrenta el religioso, informó este miércoles el Arzobispado de Lima.El cardenal peruano Juan Luis Cipriani informó que “el 20 de julio, la Santa Sede aceptó la renuncia del Obispo Guillermo Martín Abanto Guzmán (…) en conformidad con el Código de Derecho Canónico”, según una nota del arzobispado, divulgada este miércoles.”Cada uno tiene que afrontar sus debilidades con hombría y saber reconocer cuando comete un error. No ocultamos nada”, dijo el cardenal Cipriani, citado en el comunicado del arzobispado.”La Iglesia respeta y respetará a la justicia civil, a los procesos judiciales en marcha (…) Tolerancia cero con todos estos temas. Mi solidaridad con la honra de las personas perjudicadas en especial con esta niña inocente, que debe ser reconocida por su padre”, señaló el cardenal según la misma nota.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

PERU
La Republica

[Summary: The prosecutor has asked the Vatican for a certified copy of its file on former Auxiliary Bishop Gabina Miranda who was removed by the Vatican after an allegation of pedophilia was made.]

Precisiones. Señaló que hasta el momento no hay elementos suficientes ni indicios para el esclarecimiento de este caso. Por otro lado, el cardenal Cipriani instó al ex obispo Guillermo Abanto que reconozca a su hija.

Elías Navarro.
Ayacucho.

Con el fin de conocer con precisión los hechos que motivaron la destitución del obispo auxiliar de Ayacucho, Gabino Miranda Melgarejo, el fiscal de Ayacucho, Garry Chávez Valdivia, ha solicitado al Vaticano la remisión de copias certificadas del expediente sobre su caso.

El pedido de Chávez se efectuó a través de la Fiscalía de la Nación, instancia que deberá tramitarla por intermedio del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, a fin de que la Santa Sede colabore con la justicia peruana.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

WYOMING
Kitsap Sun

By MEGAN CASSIDY Star-Tribune staff writer – writer (AP)
Posted October 9, 2013

James David Jaure refused to look at his victims or their families as they castigated everything from his character to his manhood in open court. He instead sat shrunken, facing only his attorney, nearly motionless.

The former Highland Park Church janitor was earlier convicted of three counts of sexual abuse of a minor involving three young victims. Police say Jaure, 29, used his position to masquerade as a youth minister and gain the girls’ trust.

The girls were 11, 12 and 15 at the times of the assaults.

There was little left to discuss procedurally by Jaure’s sentencing Wednesday afternoon in Natrona County District Court.

Both attorneys asked Judge Catherine Wilking to accept the recommended plea agreement — 13 to 15 years in prison for the count of third-degree sexual abuse of a minor and 16 to 19 years for the two counts of second-degree sexual abuse of a minor, with the sentences running concurrently.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

BOSTON (MA)
Irish Central

By SINEAD NI FHEALLAIGH, IrishCentral Staff Writer
Published Wednesday, October 9, 2013

On Sunday, September 29, the annual Red Mass took place at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. This Red Mass celebrates the official start of the new court year and custom lends that the mass is attended by judges, lawyers and court officials. In contrast, outside the Cathedral, protesters demonstrated against the unresolved clerical sex abuse scandal.

In early 2002, revelations of sexual abuse of children and the systematic cover-up in the Archdiocese of Boston were first published in a scandal that rocked the church and shocked a nation. Since then, members of the protest group, Speak Truth to Power (STTOP), have stood outside the main Cathedral for the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston every Sunday in a show of solidarity with abuse survivors as well as to seek full accountability and change from the Catholic Church.

Their weekly Sunday vigil is considered to be one of the oldest protests in the nation now nearing its 12th year. Irish American Stan Doherty, from Stoneham, is one such protester who makes the weekly pilgrimage to the South End of the city as he feels that someone needs to “bear witness” and that as a Catholic, he was taught that when confronted with injustice he must “stand up to evil”. The group’s demonstrations are always peaceful with their message clear to all, through use of their powerful banners which include images of the victims at the age they were abused.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Minnesota Public Radio

by Rupa Shenoy, Minnesota Public Radio
October 9, 2013

A task force created by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis to investigate clergy misconduct includes a psychologist who works on sex offender management, a computer forensics expert and former St. Paul police sergeant. Members say their work will be independent of the archdiocese they’re investigating.

An MPR News investigation has revealed that several priests suspected of sexual misconduct were protected by the Twin Cities archdiocese.

In a letter dated Sept. 27, Archbishop John Nienstedt expressed sorrow for victims of abuse and said he bore “special responsibility for priests” in the archdiocese. Last weekend, the archdiocese asked parish priests to tell churchgoers about a new task force that has been formed to investigate the allegations.

That task force took its first step Wednesday.

The Rev. Reginald Whitt is a Dominican priest and professor at St. Thomas University. He has degrees in civil and canon law. Whitt does not serve on the task force — but he did choose its members from among a group of people — not clergy, and some not even Catholic — who volunteered.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

COLORADO
Our Colorado News

Ryan Boldrey rboldrey@ourcoloradonews.com

Former Highlands Ranch youth pastor Matthew Capranelli pleaded guilty to one felony count each of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust and sexual exploitation of a child, avoiding a trial that was set to begin this November.

Capranelli, who subjected a former Mountain View Community Church youth group member to sexual contact repeatedly between Oct. 1, 2004 and Aug. 31, 2007 while she was between 15 and 18 years old, will be sentenced Dec. 12 in Douglas County.

He was originally charged with five counts of sexual assault on a child by a person in a position of trust as a pattern of abuse, but agreed to plead guilty to one count, which dropped the pattern of abuse charge.

Per the agreement, reached Oct. 9, Capranelli will be sentenced to a period of 10 years to life in the state’s Sex Offender Intensive Supervision Program for the position of trust charge, and 0-12 years in prison for the sexual exploitation charge.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

OHIO
WCBE

By JIM LETIZIA

The Columbus Catholic Diocese is investigating sexual abuse claims against a retired priest.

Officials say an alleged victim of Father Raymond Lavelle came forward last month with a credible account of abuse while Lavelle was pastor at St. Agnes Church in the 1970s. Officials say Lavelle is now 83-years-old and living in a nursing home. In July, officials announced they placed Father Ronald Atwood on leave from his ministry while they investigate the alleged assaults of a boy that took place in the 1970s. Atwood is the pastor at St. Francis of Assisi Church and has been a priest in Columbus for 44 years.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Star Tribune

Article by: JOY POWELL , Star Tribune Updated: October 9, 2013

A member of the newly appointed task force says members will not allow their findings to be whitewashed.

A retired police officer with expertise in Internet sex crimes against kids, a law professor and a sex-abuse psychologist are among six lay people who had their first meeting Wednesday as members of a new task force looking into clergy sexual ­misconduct and how the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis has responded.

The task force was named following allegations last week that archdiocesan leaders mishandled situations involving a priest who confessed to sexually assaulting two boys and is in prison as well as another priest who may have had child pornography on his computer.

One of six members on the Ministerial Standards Task Force is Brian Short, a Minneapolis business executive and federal courts mediator who vowed that the task force would not “whitewash” its findings, which will be presented to Archbishop John Nienstedt and made public.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Grand Forks Herald

By: Justin Glawe, Grand Forks Herald

CROOKSTON — The lists exist, but whether they will be made public is now up to a judge.

Steven Aggergaard, an attorney representing the Diocese of Crookston, argued there is no concrete harm in keeping a list of priests accused of sexual abuse private.

The statement came in Polk County Judge Tamara Yon’s courtroom. She must now decide whether the diocese is legally required to release their list as part of a lawsuit filed in June by St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson.

Anderson, well known for pursuing cases involving sexual abuse by clergy, represents a Bemidji woman who claims she was sexually abused from 1969 to 1970 by the Rev. James Porter, who was convicted of sexually abusing 28 children.

Porter was with the diocese at the time of the alleged abuse of the Bemidji woman.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

LEBANON
The Daily Star

October 10, 2013
By Rayane Abu Jaoude, Jana El Hassan, Niamh Fleming-Farrell
The Daily Star

BEIRUT: A Lebanese priest convicted of child molestation by the Vatican is currently carrying out his sentence of solitary penitence in a monastery in Lebanon, sources close to him confirmed to The Daily Star Wednesday.

But the case of Mansour Labaki, who remains at liberty despite his conviction, raises questions about how the church under new leadership has resolved to combat child abuse perpetrated by members of the clergy.

An expert on the Vatican legal system said the priest was unlikely to come under investigation from Lebanese authorities, despite recent statements from Pope Francis vowing to take allegations of abuse more seriously than the church has in the past.

“Nobody wants to cross the Holy See,” said Marco Ventura, professor of Canon law and religion at the University of Leuven in Belgium.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
KARE

[with video]

Jay Olstad

GOLDEN VALLEY – The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis announced details Wednesday of its special task force that will look into the churches’ handling of recent priest abuse.

“The things depicted in these reports are sickening, they’re despicable. And they break our hearts,” said Father Reginald Whitt about recent news reports. Appointed by Archbishop John Neinstedt, Father Whitt announced a six-member lay task force called the Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force.

Whitt, a law professor at the University of St. Thomas School of Law, assures the group will have full access to church documents and its officials, including the archbishop, in order to investigate the church’s handling of recent priest abuse and once the report is completed Whitt claims it will be made public.

The group met for the first time Wednesday but don’t know yet how many times they’ll meet or when the inquiry will be completed.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Star Tribune

Article by: JEAN HOPFENSPERGER , Star Tribune Updated: October 10, 2013

The pressure is on Minnesota dioceses to release lists of priests accused of abusing children.

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, under fire for its handling of two cases involving sexual misconduct by priests, is also fighting a battle on a second front, facing heightened demands that it release a list held in secret since 2004 of alleged sex offenders among its clergy.

A court hearing on that issue in Ramsey County was where allegations of a child pornography coverup first surfaced last week.

A total of six court hearings seeking the release of secret lists, ­involving every diocese in ­Minnesota, are slated for this fall, with additional actions targeting about a dozen Catholic religious orders in Minnesota, said St. Paul attorney Jeff Anderson, who is leading the effort.

A hearing in Crookston on Wednesday marked the first of those hearings, with attorneys for an abuse victim asking a judge to compel the local diocese to release its list. Hearings in New Ulm, Duluth and Winona are next.

Release of the full tally, which might run to dozens of priests facing credible allegations of abuse, could ignite an entirely new round of accusations and lawsuits at a time when many Catholics thought the worst of the clergy sex abuse tragedy was behind the church.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

IRELAND/UNITED STATES
Journal

A RETIRED IRISH priest has been removed from his public position in Minnesota in the US after being “credibly accused of the sexual abuse of a minor female.”

The allegations relate to Father Cornelius Kelleher’s time as pastor of St. Joseph’s Church in Chisholm from 1975 to 1986. The Diocese of Duluth said in a statement that ”when the accusation was made, Father Kelleher was immediately removed from any public ministry and is no longer able to function as a priest in his retirement.”

The Diocese adds that, at present, no formal criminal charges or litigation in connection with this accusation.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

They praise a woman and a man who helped police
And they honor “Twin Cities victims who have spoken up”
“Not just kids, but vulnerable adults are victims too,” SNAP says
Group also blasts Archbishop for his lawyer’s recent “mean” comments
Church attorney impugned the motives of former top aide to Nienstedt
SNAP: “Church should be encouraging – not discouraging – disclosures”

WHAT
Holding signs and childhood photos at a short vigil, clergy sex abuse victims will
–blast the archbishop’s lawyer who recently attacked a whistleblower in court and
–urge anyone who may have been hurt by Fr. Mark Huberty, who’s accused of sexually assaulting an adult, to “come forward, get help, call police and start healing.”

They will also praise
–local individuals who were hurt by priests and have spoken up over the years and
–two recent church whistleblowers who helped expose Fr. Jonathan Shelley & Fr. Curtis Wehmeyer &
–adults who are sexually exploited by clergy and who often find it even tougher to step forward

WHEN
TONIGHT, Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013 at 7 p.m.

WHERE
Outside the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 1725 Kennard Street (north of Larpenteur Ave E and south of Maryknoll Avenue) in Maplewood (where a priest faces recent allegations of sexually exploiting an adult parishioner, and where another priest has just been sent who helped conceal child sex crimes)

WHO
Several local concerned Catholics and two-three victims who belong to a self-help group called SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAPnetwork.org), including a Missouri man who is the organization’s long time executive director. (He and his brothers were molested by a priest; one of them went on to become a priest and molest kids himself.)

WHY
According to Minnesota Public Radio, since May 1, “Maplewood police say they have been investigating allegations of criminal sexual misconduct by Fr. Mark Huberty, pastor of the Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.” Fr. Huberty has taken a voluntary leave of absence over an allegation he inappropriately touched a woman, which he denies.”

SNAP is urging anyone who may have seen, suspected or suffered Fr. Huberty’s crimes to “find the courage to speak up, get help, expose wrongdoers and protect others.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Pioneer Press

By Emily Gurnon
egurnon@pioneerpress.com
POSTED: 10/09/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT
UPDATED: 10/09/2013 01:36:05 PM CDT

A University of St. Thomas law professor will announce at 3:45 p.m. Wednesday the names of members appointed to a new task force on clergy sexual misconduct.

Archbishop John Nienstedt named the Rev. Reginald Whitt to select the members of the Safe Environment and Ministerial Standards Task Force.

Whitt will meet with reporters at the Leamington company offices in Minneapolis, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis said in a statement Wednesday morning.

Task force member Brian Short, CEO of Leamington, will speak about the scope and mission of the task force, the archdiocese said.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Inforum

The Associated Press – MINNEAPOLIS

The head of a task force that will review issues related to clergy sexual misconduct in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis is expected to announce more details about the group.

The Rev. Reginald Whitt is meeting with the media Wednesday afternoon. He’s expected to speak about the independent task force and its mission. He’ll also announce the members of the group.

One member, Brian Short, will speak about the role of the task force and its scope.

On Sunday, Archbishop John Nienstedt announced the task force would review how officials have handled accusations of priest misconduct, after one pleaded guilty to sexual misconduct last year and another was recently accused of having child pornography.

Nienstedt says addressing these serious allegations are a “top priority.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

POLAND
Montana Standard

Poland’s Catholic bishops have apologized to victims of child sex abuse by priests and announced steps aimed at preventing such abuse from happening again.

The bishops were reacting to recently revealed cases of child abuse by priests, including allegations against two Poles who served in the Dominican Republic, one of whom was a Vatican envoy.

After a two-day meeting of Poland’s bishops, Archbishop Wojciech Polak told reporters Wednesday that they “apologize for the priests who have harmed children” and said that the church has “no tolerance for pedophilia.”

He said documents adopted by the bishops call for psychological assistance to the victims and better screening and training of would-be priests to make the church a safe place for children.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Guardian Express

Father Robert L. Brennan, a Philadelphia priest who was arraigned on charges of rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse and aggravated sexual assault has just had his bail reduced. Is the court making it easier for him to get out of jail so he can hurt more children?

This Philly priest was arraigned last month for sexually assaulting an altar boy over a 3-year period. This comes on the heels of previous accusations of sexually abusing more than a dozen other boys. Brennan was arrested in Perryville, MD on September 25 and was returned to Philadelphia the next day after waiving extradition.

Initially, a judge set his bail at 10 percent of $1million and ordered him against having any contact with his accuser. On Tuesday, his bail was reduced to 10 percent of $50,000 as if the judicial system wants him out sooner than later.

Spokeswoman for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), Barbara Dorris, says they are worried and disappointed by the reduction. She said kids are safer when predators like Father Brennan are jailed. Their concern is he may flee overseas because he knows that he will face a long sentence if he’s convicted.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ST. LOUIS (MO)
Berger’s Beat

Brother Bernard Hartman, who admitting molesting a child and reportedly has lived here for the last two years, will appear next month in an Australian court on charges that he abused four kids, the Aussey Broadcasting reports. He belongs to the St. Louis-based US Marianists, the group that runs Chaminade and Vianney high schools. Two years ago, Marianist spokeswoman Diane Guerra told reporters that Hartman was “very well supervised.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

UNITED STATES
Hopefully Known

Tamara Rice

Can I be honest with you? I’m angry today. I’m sick to death of people equating exposing sin in the Church with slandering Christ’s bride. I’m sick to death of people equating exposing sin in the Church with hindering the gospel. I’m sick to death of people equating exposing sin in the Church with tarnishing our “witness” in the world.

I hate to go all cliche on you, but the people who say these things, frankly, don’t get it. They don’t get it. They are so awash in their ignorance of how the world really works, what the Church is called to be, and what unbelievers really think about and talk about that they actually think that silencing victims of abuse, protecting abusers, and refusing to publicly acknowledge harm done by institutional decisions is exalting Christ’s proverbial bride.

Right? Because if calling out criminal abuse and criminal church activities (i.e., not reporting abuse, which is a crime in many states, especially for clergy) is slandering Christ’s bride, then—at least for those who rail against us would-be temple cleansers—the opposite must be true.

Hiding/covering up pedophilia and abuse = building up the Church
Hiding/covering up pedophilia and abuse = advancing the gospel
Hiding/covering up pedophilia and abuse = increasing the effectiveness of our witness in the world

Now, no sane person of faith is going to look at the above statements and argue with me that they are true. And yet … every time they defend people who have covered up abuse, every time they accuse victim advocates of “slandering the bride,” every time they silence another voice or insist that their public sin is a private matter, they are proclaiming with their lives and their deeds that they DO believe the utterly asinine statements above. And if living out those toxic beliefs doesn’t actually in fact lead to slandering the bride, hindering the gospel and tarnishing the church’s witness, then I don’t know what does. And that’s the irony. These people simply do not get it. They do not get that they are the ones in sin. They do not get that they are the problem. They do not get that they shame us all. They do not see it. They do not want to see it. They are burying their heads and plugging their ears and still proclaiming in the face of all evidence to the contrary that the world is flat. They might be able to recite the Romans Road and the Four Spiritual Laws, but I doubt they’d know the transforming power of the gospel if it were staring them in the face.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2013

Statement by Bob Schwiderski (952 471 3422, skibrs@q.com), Minnesota SNAP director

Twin Cities Catholic officials are giving extra pay to a predator priest and refusing to supervise him even though he was found guilty of child sex crimes at a trial.

[St. Cloud Times]

In 1996, a jury declared Fr. Robert Kapoun guilty of molesting Dale Scheffler.

Across the US, many priests like Fr. Kapoun are either defrocked or forced to live in a monitored, supervised setting so they’ll be kept away from kids. Twin Cities Catholic Archbishop John Nienstadt refuses, however, to do either.

Nienstadt is being terribly reckless. He has no idea if Fr. Kapoun is molesting kids today.

And Nienstadt is being terribly callous, by essentially paying a monthly “bonus” to a proven predator.

We can’t help but wonder: how many other child molesting Twin Cities clerics are living on their own, among unsuspecting families, getting paid extra to do no work, and perhaps grooming or assaulting kids right now.

Our hearts ache for brave Dale Scheffler, one of Fr. Kapoun’s victims, who endured a public trial. The jury verdict against Fr. Kapoun and the archdiocese was overturned, and archdiocesan officials had the temerity and viciousness to send Scheffler a bill for $6,019.10 for their legal costs.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

SCOTLAND
Herald Scotland

VICTIMS of alleged physical and sexual abuse by monks at a former Catholic boarding school are to launch a lawsuit for hundreds of thousands of pounds compensation.

The six who attended Fort Augustus Abbey school, in the Highlands, have instructed an English law firm to sue the Benedictine Order, which ran the institution. David Greenwood, a solicitor for Switalskis, said the firm would be seeking between £30,000 to £100,000 per person depending on the abuse and how it had affected their life and ability to secure employment.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Dominican Today

Santo Domingo.- The officials from Poland who came to the country to discuss the case of Wojciech Gil, charged with sexually abusing several boys, asked Dominican authorities to cooperate in the investigation of the catholic priest.

After meeting with Justice minister Francisco Domínguez Wednesday morning, they said Poland seeks documents and collaboration in the probe, because there’s no extradition treaty between Dominican Republic and Poland.

They noted however that Polish law provides for prosecution in that nation, for any crime committed by a citizen in any country.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

For immediate release: Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013

Statement by Barbara Dorris of St. Louis, Outreach Director of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests ( 314 862 7688 home, 314 503 0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com )

We are disappointed and worried by the bail reduction for Fr. Robert L. Brennan.

[WPVI]

Kids are safest when predators are jailed. And despite Fr. Brennan’s long ties to Philadelphia, we fear he may flee overseas if given a chance, knowing that he likely faces a long sentence if convicted.

Remember, Fr. Brennan is accused of molesting roughly 20 children. We believe he is still dangerous. And history, common sense and painful experience tells us that even when allegedly supervised, child predators – who are often shrewd and charismatic – find ways of getting access to and molesting other kids.

Moves like this bail reduction often discourage more victims, witnesses and whistleblowers from speaking up and reporting molesters.

Nevertheless, we hope every single person who saw, suspected or suffered clergy sex crimes and cover ups – by Fr. Brennan or any church employee – will speak up, expose wrongdoers, protect kids and start healing.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

IRELAND
Association of Catholic Priests

On September 18 last I travelled the long journey to Wexford. I was representing the Association of Catholic Priests (ACP) at a meeting with the Bishop of Ferns and his Priests’ Council. It was part of an effort, on the part of the ACP, to make contact with bishops and priests around the country.

We had asked the Papal Nuncio for a meeting but he felt it was more appropriate if we met the Irish bishops. We had then asked the bishops for a meeting but they thought it was more appropriate that we should meet the Councils of Priests. It was, you could argue, an ecclesiastical version of Pass the Parcel but nonetheless we took the invitation at face value and travelled up and down the country for almost a year. Ferns, the Wexford diocese, was one of our final meetings.

I was very graciously received in Wexford and the discussion ranged over a wide area:

the dearth of vocations;
dealing with allegations of child abuse against priest;
the new English translation of the Mass;
the method of appointing bishops;
the ‘silencing’ of priests;
the decline in religious practice;and so forth.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MALTA
Malta Independent

The request for compensation by 10 victims of clerical abuse at the St Joseph Home in Santa Venera is time-barred, according to the lawyer of the religious order – the Missionary Society of Saint Paul – that runs the home.

The first hearing in the case filed by the 10 men against the two former priests convicted of abuse – Charles Pulis and Godwin Scerri – the MSSP, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Malta and the government was held this morning in front of Judge Lino Farrugia Sacco.

The MSSP’s lawyer, Ray Zammit, filed a request for the entire proceedings to be held behind closed doors, a request which was backed by lawyers representing the Malta Archdiocese and the government. The two former priests, who are currently serving prison terms, had no lawyer representing them, prompting Mr Justice Farrugia Sacco to warn that this was a serious case and that legal assistance was very much required.

But the lawyers representing the 10 abuse victims, Franco Vassallo and Patrick Valentino, objected to the request, with the former stating that it was not in the interest of justice. He added that if anything, it should be the victims who should make such a request, and not the perpetrators.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Jeff Anderson & Associates

The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, amid growing concerns of internal handling of clergy sexual abuse cases, responded to allegations of child pornography involving Father Jonathan Shelley by debating what constitutes the definition of child pornography.

Below you will find a list of documents that contain conversations and correspondence between top church officials including Archbishop John Nienstedt, former Vicar General Peter Laird and canon lawyer and former chancellor for canonical affairs, Jennifer Haselberger.

Also included is the police investigation of Fr. Jonathan Shelley and the court transcript from a hearing in Ramsey County on October 3, 2013 where arguments were heard about the release of a secret list containing 33 names of priests credibly accused of sexual misconduct in the Archdiocese and where Shelley’s police report and the internal investigative process came to light.

Jonathan Shelley Police Report

Court Transcript/10/3/13

Nienstedt to Cardinal Levada 5-29-2012

Haselberger to Nienstedt 2-8-2013

Haselberger to Nienstedt 2-4-2012

Haselberger to Nienstedt 2-15-2012

Shelley to Neil Diamond 2-23-2012

McDonough and Lady of the Lake 2004 docs

McDonough to Nienstedt Piche Laird Haselberger

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Jeff Anderson & Associates

Hearing Tomorrow at 1PM in Crookston Regarding Release of Secret List of Priests with Credible Allegations of Sexual Abuse

October 8, 2013

(Crookston, MN) – Tomorrow at 1:00PM in a Polk County courtroom, a sexual abuse survivor, along with her attorneys, will request the public release of a secret list possessed and maintained by the Diocese of Crookston that contains the names of several priests who have credible allegations of sexual abuse.

Judge Tamara Yon will hear arguments from the survivor’s attorney, Jeff Anderson, along with defense counsel for the Diocese of Crookston. The lawsuit was filed June 20th, 2013 in Polk County and also names the Diocese of Fall River, MA and the Servants of the Paraclete claiming they were negligent in allowing the now-deceased Father James R. Porter continued access to children. Father James R. Porter is suspected of abusing over 100 children in multiple states including Minnesota, Massachusetts, Texas, and New Mexico.

“We are asking for full and complete disclosure of offenders known to only the Diocese of Crookston, the Diocese of Fall River and the Servants of the Paraclete” said attorney Jeff Anderson. “The continued secrecy by all defendants gravely imperils the wellness of the community and the children.” The survivor and Anderson are also seeking the public release of the lists maintained by the Diocese of Fall River and the Servants of the Paraclete.

Similar hearings have been held in Ramsey County pertaining to the release of the names of priests contained in secret lists known only to, and maintained, by both the Diocese of Winona and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. The judge has yet to issue a ruling in these cases.

Not unlike the Ramsey county cases, arguments will be made in this case, and in others in the future about how the Diocese of Crookston maintained and kept secret this list. It is expected the Diocese will argue that the privacy of priests outweighs the need for public disclosure.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

UNITED STATES
National Catholic Reporter

NCR Editorial Staff | Oct. 9, 2013

In June 2012, Fr. Curtis Wehmeyer was removed as a pastor, after the St. Paul-Minneapolis archdiocese received a complaint of child sexual abuse against him. The archdiocese informed the police, and by November Wehmeyer had pleaded guilty to sexually abusing two boys, ages 12 and 14, and possessing child pornography. He is serving a five-year prison sentence.

Ostensibly, the archdiocese had complied promptly and fully with the Dallas Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the standards for dealing with priests accused of abusing a minor. The archdiocese certainly spun the story that way. That may have been the final perception, if Minnesota Public Radio had not followed the story to its origins.

MPR learned that Wehmeyer had a long history of inappropriate sexual behavior and brushes with the law and the archdiocese knew it. Despite this, church officials kept Wehmeyer in ministry, and chose not to warn the parishes where Wehmeyer worked. The MPR report is at tinyurl.com/ndouawk.

Wehmeyer was ordained in 2001 at age 36. The first complaint against him came in 2004 when the archdiocese was informed that Wehmeyer approached two young men ages 19 and 20 for sex at a bookstore. He was sent for treatment and ordered to attend Sexaholics Anonymous meetings. In 2006, a police officer spoke to then vicar general Fr. Kevin McDonough after finding Wehmeyer cruising a park known as a hangout for men looking for anonymous sex.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

CONNECTICUT
The Day

By Karen Florin
Publication: The Day
Published 10/09/2013

A man in his 40s who says he was molested by a parish priest at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Niantic as a teenager has filed a civil lawsuit against the Norwich Diocese, the church and retired Bishop Daniel Reilly.

The plaintiff, identified only as John Doe, claims that the Rev. Vincent Marino plied him with money and alcohol in 1983 and 1984 and sexually assaulted him on church grounds and elsewhere. He is represented by New London attorney Robert I. Reardon Jr., who has won millions of dollars for plaintiffs in clergy sex abuse cases.

Reardon said his client reported the abuse to church officials when he reached his 20s, but nothing was done. Marino was transferred from St. Agnes to St. Mary’s Church in Stonington and is now a parish priest in Siracusa, Sicily, according to Reardon. Marino is in his mid-50s.

“We have located him, and at some point we will be seeking his deposition,” Reardon said. “We have to petition the Italian courts for permission.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MALTA
Times of Malta

A religious order is insisting the compensation request by 10 clerical abuse victims is time-barred and that it cannot assume responsibility for the actions of two ex-priests jailed for sexually abusing boys

The case started being heard today.

Following a request by the Missionary Society of St Paul, of which Godwin Scerri, 77, and Charles Pulis, 68, were members, the court decided that witnesses will be heard behind closed doors, but legal arguments will be in open court.

The order is arguing that it cannot accept liability for the personal actions of its members who were adults, adding it was not aware of what had been going on.

In August 2011, Mr Scerri and Mr Pulis were respectively sentenced to five and six years’ imprisonment for sexually abusing 11 boys in their care at St Joseph Home, in Santa Venera.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MASSACHUSETTS
Newburyport Daily News

By Mac Cerullo
Staff Writer

AMESBURY — Since coming forward publicly in 2002 to discuss his abuse at the hands of a Catholic priest, Gary Bergeron has seen a marked improvement in people’s attitudes toward victims of childhood sexual abuse.

But while people have become more aware of the problem, one aspect that he said is still often overlooked is life after abuse, and how difficult it can be for victims to come to terms with their experience and live the rest of their lives as survivors.

“One of the things I’ve learned over the past decade is that there is no easy life, there’s only life,” Bergeron said. “And I think it’s important for all survivors of childhood sexual abuse to understand that what happened to you is a part of who you are, but it doesn’t necessarily define who you’re going to be.”

Bergeron, who runs the Mill 77 consignment store on Route 110 with his wife, has become one of the nation’s most outspoken proponents of childhood sexual abuse awareness since the clergy abuse scandal first exploded in Boston 12 years ago.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

CHILE
Bio Bio

Abogado de denunciantes de Karadima señaló que es “normal” que Arzobispado niegue las acusaciones

El abogado defensor de los denunciantes de Fernando Karadima, Juan Pablo Hermosilla, señaló a Bío Bío La Radio que la respuesta efectuada el pasado 3 de octubre por el Arzobispado de Santiago en rechazo a la demanda interpuesta por James Hamilton, Juan Carlos Cruz y José Andrés Murillo, era una acción totalmente esperable.

En el documento de 39 páginas, la Iglesia de Santiago manifiesta que el rechazo se debe a que “la comprensible pretensión de los demandantes no encuentra fundamento conforme a derecho”.

Sobre esto, el abogado Juan Pablo Hermosilla manifestó que, en situaciones como éstas, sea normal que el Arzobispado niegue los hechos por los cuales se le acusa al sacerdote Fernando Karadima.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

AUSTRALIA
Sky News

One of the victims of former priest David Edwin Rapson once tried to flee his Victorian school fearing further abuse, and says he hasn’t stopped running in the two decades since.

Rapson, 60, was found guilty of five charges of rape and eight counts of indecent assault against eight boys at Salesian College’s Lysterfield and Rupertswood campuses between the 1970s and 1990.

One of his victims, abused as a teenager at Rupertswood, said his life had been riddled by drug abuse, mental health issues and family breakdowns.

In a victim impact statement read to the Victorian County Court on Wednesday, the man said he has been haunted by the abuse every single day since it happened.

“It’s like I’m always running from him,” he said.

“My life would have been so, so different if not for the abuse.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

AUSTRALIA
The Age

October 9, 2013

Adam Cooper
Reporter for The Age

A victim of paedophile priest David Rapson has told a court how he had been “hell-bent on destruction” in trying to get away from the torment of abuse he suffered 23 years ago.

The man, who was a teenager when he was raped by Rapson on four separate occasions at Salesian College in 1990, said he had lived a life of drug addiction, self-harm, crime and the breakdown of family relationships in the years since.

“There hasn’t been one day in 23 years since that I haven’t thought about what my abuse and what David Rapson did to me,” he said in a victim impact statement read to the County Court on Wednesday.

“My life would have been so, so different if not for the abuse.”

Rapson, 60, was in August found guilty of five charges of rape and eight counts of indecent assault in sexually assaulting eight boys at Salesian College between the mid 1970s and 1990. His victims are now men aged in their late 30s to 50s.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

NEW YORK
New York Daily News

BY BEN CHAPMAN AND RACHEL MONAHAN / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9, 2013

Already facing a sex-abuse lawsuit filed by former students, Yeshiva University hired a Hebrew teacher who has a record for lewd behavior, it was reported Tuesday.

Akiva Roth, then a teacher at a Jewish day school in West Orange, N.J., was convicted for exposing himself to bar mitzvah boys in 1997, the Forward reported. He pleaded guilty to four counts of lewdness and was sentenced to 10 years’ probation, the Forward found.

Last fall, the university became engulfed in a sex scandal after former students at the university’s High School for Boys came forward to describe the abuse they’d suffered at the hands of their former rabbis during the 1970s, ’80s and ’90s.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

NEW YORK
New York Post

By Jeane Macintosh
October 9, 2013

So much for cleaning up its reputation as a haven for sexual predators.

Yeshiva University, dogged by allegations it covered up decades of sex abuse at its boys’ high school, has put a convicted child molester on its payroll.

Kiddie predator Akiva Roth, 42, is teaching at the school’s Yeshiva College unit in Washington Heights, despite pleading guilty in 1997 to four counts of lewdness against several male students.

A judge at the time blasted Roth for being unrepentant and for blaming his schoolboy victims for “enticing him” into the abusive behavior.

Roth, the son of New York Rabbi Joel Roth, started at the college at the beginning of the academic year as a full-time instructor, teaching four classes a week, according to the Jewish Daily Forward, which first reported the twisted staffing decision. Some high school students also attend the all-male college.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ALASKA
KTUU

By Austin Baird
Channel 2 News
3:25 p.m. AKDT, October 8, 2013

ANCHORAGE, Alaska—
A Buddhist monk sentenced was last month in Chicago for raping and impregnating a 14-year-old girl, and an advocacy group wants to know if there may have been similar crimes in Anchorage.

Camnong Boa-Ubol pleaded guilty to “sexually assaulting a teenage girl for two years at a southwest suburban temple” and received a 15-year sentence.

He lived in Anchorage in May 2012 when he was arrested, and a group that advoacates for clergy sex abuse victims — Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests — is asking for residents to come forward if they know of other abuse by Boa-Ubol.

“Predators rarely stop assaulting others, so we strongly suspect that Boa-Ubol has also hurt innocent kids or vulnerable adults in Alaska,” said David Clohessy, director of SNAP, in a release. “He can still face more charges but only if people find the courage and strength to step forward.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

ALASKA
Anchorage Daily News

By BENJAMIN S. BRASCH — bbrasch@adn.com

A sexual abuse victims’ advocacy group is searching for information that may lead authorities to additional victims of a Buddhist monk who spent time in Anchorage before being convicted in Illinois of sexual assault.

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is looking for anything that would connect Camnong Boa-Ubol to othervictims, the group said Tuesday in a release..

Boa-Ubol lived in Anchorage in 2012 and worked as a dishwasher at LSG Sky Chef, according to the FBI.

An FBI agent, an air marshal and an Airport Police Department officer jailed Boa-Ubul in Anchorage on May 11 at Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport on an Illinois warrant, according to news accounts.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

AUSTRALIA
Zenit

Sydney, Australia, October 08, 2013 (Zenit.org)

The Church in Australia is looking to overhaul its system for handling clerical sexual abuse cases. Catholic leaders have endorsed the development of a reform agenda.

According to the blog of the Australian bishops, Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council, said the reforms are now being fully developed and will be presented to Church leaders in the first half of 2014.

“These proposals recognize that we must do better when we are dealing with victims of sexual abuse and as we work to make sure our institutions are as safe as possibly for children,” Sullivan said.

Proposals include:

— appointing independent compensation commissioners to determine payments to victims who go through the victim response process known as Towards Healing. This would separate the pastoral responses in Towards Healing from the determination of financial payments
— the appointment of lay and independent experts to strengthen the Church’s National Committee of Professional Standards
— the introduction of an independent national board to develop and administer national child protection standards. The board would monitor adherence to these standards and publicly report on compliance
— the board would also provide more rigorous assessment, monitoring, auditing and enforcement of Towards Healing practices
— the introduction of greater transparency through public reporting by both the new national board and the Towards Healing process.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

CALIFORNIA
10 News

SAN DIEGO – An attorney told Team 10 there are internal documents that can prove administrators at a school run by the Rock Church knew about allegations of sexual abuse.

The Rock Church Academy says it fired a teacher as soon as school officials discovered the alleged abuse. However, in two internal emails obtained by Team 10, the school’s principal and some teachers saw red flags long before police were ever notified.

Latisha and Mel Zamora claim their daughter was molested by a former teacher at the Rock Church Academy.

“She goes, ‘He did molest me, mommy.’ I tried to keep it together; I wanted to run, scream and die,” said Latisha Zamora.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

CALIFORNIA
CBS Los Angeles

VAN NUYS (CBSLA.com) — A former usher at a Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Sun Valley was sentenced Tuesday to 30 years in state prison for sexually abusing three boys.

Marcelo Lozano, 34, was also ordered to register as a sex offender, according to the district attorney’s office.

Lozano, who was arrested July 29, pleaded no contest in September to two counts of continuous sexual abuse and one count of oral copulation of a person under 14.

Lozano met the victims, who were 8 to 11 years old at the time of the crimes, through the Jehovah’s Witnesses Sun Valley Spanish congregation, according to Deputy District Attorney Rena Durrant.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

LOS ANGELES (CA)
News 4

LOS ANGELES (AP) — An usher from a Los Angeles Jehovah’s Witness congregation has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for sexually abusing three boys he met there.

Prosecutors say 34-year-old Marcelo Lozano was sentenced Tuesday and ordered to register as a sex offender. He pleaded no contest last month to two counts of sexual abuse and one count of oral copulation of a person under the age of 14.

Lozano met the boys, who ranged in age from 8 to 11 years old,, through the Jehovahs Witnesses Sun Valley Spanish congregation, where he was an usher.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

AUSTRALIA
NEWS.com.au

SHANNON DEERY
Herald Sun
October 09, 2013

THE former principal of a Catholic boys school stood and watched as his deputy sexually abused a young student, a court has heard.

The principal, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was one of a circle of alleged Salesian priests in charge of the order’s Sunbury college, Rupertswood.

He later went on to become one of the Salesian’s highest ranked officials. At a pre-sentence hearing for former vice-principal David Edwin Rapson today new details of a shocking culture of pedophilia at the school emerged.

The court heard the disturbing culture helped transform Rapson, 60, from a “low level pedophile” into a “sadistic” abuser.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Northlands News Center

[with video]

October 8, 2013

Duluth, MN (NNCNOW.com) – The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is calling for the Duluth Diocese to be more transparent in its dealings with alleged sexual assault cases.

The latest request from SNAP comes just after the Duluth diocese announced a former Chisholm priest sexually abused a minor female between 1975 and 1986.

Standing outside the diocese offices, SNAP National Director David Clohessy and Northeast Director Verne Wagner called for anyone who saw or suffered abuse to speak out, and seek help.
They also called for local prosecutors to investigate those who both commit and conceal sex crimes within the diocese.

In a comment directed toward Bishop Paul Sirba, they also said that it’s inexcusable and irresponsible to say nothing when an abuse allegation in made, and determined to be credible.

“We would urge the bishop to come clean and post on his website, as 30 other U.S. bishops have done, the names of every credibly accused child molesting cleric in that diocese, and to keep that list up there permanently,” said Clohessy.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

PHILADELPHIA (PA)
NBC 10

[with video]

By Dan Stamm and David Chang | Tuesday, Oct 8, 2013

Bail was reduced for a Philadelphia priest who was arraigned last month on charges that he sexually assaulted an altar boy over a three-year period and was previously accused of sexually abusing 20 boys.

A judge set Rev. Robert L. Brennan’s bail on rape, involuntary deviant sexual intercourse and aggravated sexual assault charges at 10 percent of $1 million back on September 27. Brennan also was ordered to not have contact with his accuser.

On October 8, his bail was reduced to 10 percent of $50,000.

“We are disappointed and worried by the bail reduction for Fr. Robert L. Brennan,” wrote Barbara Dorris, a spokeswoman for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests(SNAP). “Kids are safest when predators are jailed. And despite Fr. Brennan’s long ties to Philadelphia, we fear he may flee overseas if given a chance, knowing that he likely faces a long sentence if convicted.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Duluth News Tribune

A pair of victims’ rights advocates took Bishop Paul Sirba to task Tuesday for his handling of allegations that Father Cornelius Kelleher had sexual relations with an underage girl during his tenure at St. Joseph’s Church in Chisholm.

By: Peter Passi, Duluth News Tribune

A pair of victims’ rights advocates took Bishop Paul Sirba to task Tuesday for his handling of allegations that Father Cornelius Kelleher had sexual relations with an underage girl during his tenure at St. Joseph’s Church in Chisholm.

David Clohessy, the national executive director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, and Verne Wagner, SNAP’s Northern Minnesota director, maintain that the Duluth diocese failed to follow the U.S. Catholic Church’s own policies when it didn’t notify law enforcement authorities of a report that Kelleher had sexual contact with a minor.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People says: “The Charter acknowledges the role of the public authorities in matters of sexual abuse of minors by clergy in Article 4, which requires dioceses and eparchies to report any and all allegations involving minors to the authorities in accordance with civil law, and to cooperate with those authorities during investigations of these matters. All dioceses and eparchies examined during 2012 included mandated reporter language in their policies and procedures, as applicable.”

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Minnesota Public Radio

by Dan Olson, Minnesota Public Radio
October 9, 2013

Editor’s note: This story originally aired on Minnesota Public Radio February 8, 1996. It is being republished as part of a report on the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis’ handling of child sexual abuse.

Dale Scheffler sat quietly in the atrium of the Hennepin County Government Center, his back to reporters, head down. His wife Ellen stood by him and her parents comforted Scheffler before he stepped before reporters and directed his remarks at Archbishop Harry Flynn.

“Archbishop, I come here today to ask you to please remove him. How can you go on living and knowing that they are doing this — please — I’m asking you to remove these people,” the 28-year-old said, “to remove all these priests that are doing this to these kids that are getting hurt.”

A Hennepin County jury is expected to decide soon if the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis should pay punitive damages to Scheffler, who says he was molested by Rev. Robert Kapoun at the age of 13, back in the 1980s.

The jury has already awarded $550,000 in compensatory damages in Scheffler’s civil suit against the priest.

The archdiocese released a letter in midafternoon writen by Archbishop Flynn saying, effective this spring, 57-year-old Kapoun is resigning as priest of a Prior Lake parish. There is no acknowledgelement in Flynn’s letter the resignation is a response to Dale Scheffler’s plea. In fact, the archdiocese supports Kapoun’s claim he did not molest Scheffler.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.

MINNESOTA
Minnesota Public Radio

[with audio]

By Madeleine Baran, Minnesota Public Radio
October 9, 2013

They called him the Polka Padre. Later, they called him the Polka Predator.

For decades, the Rev. Robert Kapoun charmed parishioners with his accordion at “polka masses” across Minnesota. Privately, he took young boys to saunas, rectories and a secluded cabin in Cold Spring and sexually assaulted them, according to court testimony. Parents complained but leaders at the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis did little to stop him.

• Read the court documents

Kapoun remained in ministry until 1996, the year a lawsuit brought by Dale Scheffler, one of his victims, went to trial. It was the biggest clergy sex abuse case in Minnesota history. Over 10 days in a packed Hennepin County courtroom, jurors watched in shock as a parade of top church leaders defended and minimized their inaction. Former Archbishop John Roach claimed memory loss, while Kapoun, then 57, claimed that God had cured him of his sexual interest in young boys.

The jury awarded a $1 million verdict. Scheffler broke down sobbing.

It was a short-lived victory. An appellate court overturned the verdict the following year due to the statute of limitations. All Scheffler got was a bill from the archdiocese for its legal expenses.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.